The Brink: Group Exhibition

7 - 9 October 2023

Overview

‘NEW RUINS HAVE NOT YET ACQUIRED THE WEATHERED PATINA OF AGE…’

ROSE MACAULAY, PLEASURE OF RUINS, 1953

The Brink is an expansive exhibition featuring 16 artists and 5 filmmakers and animators, built on sculptures, installations, paintings, performances, and a special screening programme, all set within the space of a formerly dilapidated tannery.

#TheBrinkExhibition explores the interconnectedness between individuals and the spaces they inhabit and belong to using a stripped-back site as a way to explore the idea of place and conversely, non-place. Liminal sites like this often create a sense of disorientation and alienation, which is used as a point of departure to explore contradictory ways in which we experience space and shape it by our personal and collective memories, culture, and myths.

CURATORS

Collaborative initiative of Marjorier Ding, Elena Shkvarkina & Linlin Zhu with artists Anna Blom & Jo Dennis.

Artists

With artworks tailored for the exhibition, The Brink features:

Abigail Norris, Alex Young, Anna Blom, Elena Shkvarkina, Ge Hui, Ivan Seal, Jo Dennis, Katrin Spranger, Nicola Hicks MBE, Pía Ortuño, Ross Taylor, Tom Woolner, Xu Haoyang, Zhang Guangyu, ZITA.

Performance

Special guest KV Duong performs Katrin Spranger’s Spillage, an evocative environmental statement

Screening Programme

In addition to the exhibition, the special screening program led by Linlin Zhu showcases a range of mid and short films, including documentary films directed by Pietro Francesco Pingitore and Siyi Gu, experimental shorts created by Laura Puig and Chengzhou, and animation by Elmano Diogo.

These films delve into themes of healing through art, spiritual exchange with nature, and the potential for resurrection amidst ruins. The documentaries spotlight animal life trapped within artificial ecosystems. Experimental shorts incorporate the human psyche into the wildlife medium of trees and goldfish, while the animation guides the audience toward healing psychological trauma.

Information

Private view:

Saturday 7 October 3-9pm with performance at 4pm

Open:

Sunday 8 October 12 - 6pm

Monday 9 October 12 - 4pm

Address: Ugly Duck, 49 Tanner Street, SE1 3PL

Presented by Tiderip

Partners & Sponsors

General sponsors

Universe Gallery, Hangzhou

Language Academy, Hong Kong

Studio UMA, London

International Animal Future Film Festival, London

This work has been developed with the support of Ugly Duck

http://uglyduck.org.uk/

@weareuglyduck

Ugly Duck is a London based arts organisation that supports under-represented voices and emerging artists. Established in August 2012, their programme enables makers, community groups, professionals and the public to come together around unique cultural experiences and curated events. They have converted a beautiful empty Victorian warehouse in SE1 into a busy creative space which became, and still is, the home to countless rising artists.